Watervliet businesses rally around expectant mom with breast cancer

WATERVLIET -- A 28-year-old Watervliet woman, due to have a baby in early June, found out three weeks ago that she has breast cancer. Now, the community she grew up in is rallying around her.

"Three weeks ago, everything was fine. Now our world has been tipped upside down," said Kristy Scalise's father, Tim Cavanaugh. "But we've done our crying. Now we're in fighting mode and the outpouring of support from the community has been unbelievable."

Multiple businesses, including Axis Salon on 19th Street, are selling pink bracelets that state: Never Give Up, Kristy. Along with this, the Black Bear Inn has been serving the $5 "Kristy Burger" with cheese and bacon waffle fries, since the beginning of this month.

The pub's co-owner, Joe Skumurski, said he and fellow co-owner, Tim Delisle, saw Scalise regularly at the Black Bear Inn and that the Cavanaugh family had helped with other fundraisers the pub had hosted in the past. "We wanted to give back," said Skumurski. The owners asked Scalise what her favorite burger and side dishes were and named the dish after her with all profits going to the family to help pay for co-pays, unexpected medical bills, childcare and transportation. The Black Bear Inn also hosted a fundraiser for Scalice, a Watervliet Junior-Senior High School graduate, Friday night.

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Skumurski said he hoped to donate between $1,500 and $2,000 at the end of the month from the burger proceeds. They have sold more than 100 of the "Kristy Burgers" so far.

Jay Halayko with Schuyler Bakery, had a similar goal for a fundraiser, which runs Feb. 19 through Feb. 23, at the 3rd Avenue business. Next week, 5 percent of all sales will go to help the Scalise family, he said, noting that the bakery will also have a bowl out for extra donations from its customers.

"People have already said they will drop off money," said Halayko. He said he hoped to donate between $1,000 and $1,500.

Axis Salon is also doing pink hair extensions for the cause. McIntyre's and the Cannon Barrel Pub are also helping with the effort.

Cavanaugh said that his daughter, the youngest of his three children, had surgery at Albany Medical Center Hospital to remove the affected area last Friday. She will begin chemotherapy later this month, with doctors stating her baby will be fully protected in the womb. Family members have also been quilting and doing other activities to help and fundraise in other states including California, Texas and Florida.

"She's tough and strong. She's going to get through this. She's going to beat this," said Cavanaugh. "Kristy amazes me. She's certainly stronger than her dad. She's a tough cookie."